Help with modifying dress top? Please.

[Kagoma]

So, this is the dress I started with.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/121/24299116031009323671681.jpg/
and this is the dress look I'm going for http://gallery.minitokyo.net/download/497496
I'm fairly comfortable with changing the bottom but the top confounds me.
I have a really long shawl of the same fabric that I plan to use for fabric but I'm confused on how to proceed.
(Do I make armholes and treat it like a top or sew it over what's already there?)
Any help is loved! thank you. ♥

[11denson]

Is there a closer picture? It looks like you're going to have a lot of trouble with the top, since both the back and front drop and drape. I would recomend finding some material similar to the dress, you're not going to have enough for the top, I can already tell. The costume king of reminds me of a certain burdastyle pattern. Or maybe it's Vogue. Can't remember.